TxDOT begins seasonal seal coat projects

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Abilene District will begin a project May 6, to preserve area highways with seal coating.
More than 257 miles of state-maintained roadways are part of the district’s 2013 seal coat program. Roadways in Nolan, Mitchell, Howard, Borden, Scurry, Fisher, Taylor, Callahan, Haskell, Jones, Stonewall and Shackelford counties will receive $7.9 million worth of preventive maintenance seal coat work.
“Maintenance and system preservation is our largest expenditure and seal coating provides a variety of benefits to the roadway, including a waterproof surface that prevents moisture from entering and weakening the roadbed,” said Snyder Area Engineer Mike Molter, P.E., who is overseeing the project. “Seal coating also reduces deterioration and cracking of the asphalt surface, which will prolong the life of the pavement.”
Weather permitting, the work will take three weeks to complete. Motorists can expect lane closures and a pilot car to guide traffic through work zones. Drivers are asked to be on the lookout for workers and to avoid distractions.
The following roadways are included in this year’s seal coat program:
• Nolan County – IH 20;
• Mitchell County – FM 670, SH 163;
• Howard County – FM 669, FM 1584;
• Borden County – FM 2350;
• Scurry County – FM 1611, FM 1607, FM 644;
• Fisher County – FM 1085, FM 419, FM 1606;
• Taylor County – FM 1082, US 83;
• Callahan County – IH 20, SH 206, SH 279, SH 6;
• Shackelford County – FM 576, SH 6;
• Haskell County – FM 618, US 380, US 277, BU 277;
• Nolan County – IH 20 SR;
• Jones County – FM 3034, US 180, BU 277;
• Stonewall County – FM 1835.
“Safety is the top priority at TxDOT and the basis for planning, building and maintaining our transportation system,” Molter said. “Our road network requires constant maintenance and preservation. The public depends on transportation every day, and TxDOT is responsible to Texas drivers, our partners and others to be responsible stewards of our state’s resources.”
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 11,000 employees are committed to working with others to provide safe and reliable transportation solutions for Texas by maintaining a safe system, addressing congestion, connecting Texas communities and being a Best in Class state agency. Find out more at www.txdot.gov[3].